April 20, 2001, Newsletter Issue #24: Planning a Wedding on the Road

Tip of the Week

This is one time that using a professional is vital. Use a travel agent, who can use a wedding planner or coordinator to make sure all goes well.

* Check the license and residency requirements of the city/state/country you are interested in. You may have to be there a day or a month ahead of the Big Day. (There are also varying licensing costs, and they won`t be payable with plastic.)

* Verify the paperwork you need to bring with you. This may include original divorce papers from previous marriage(s), and other esoteric details.

* Book travel reservations for the bride in her current (single status) name. The identification she must show at the airport must match the name on the airline ticket.

* Before you lay money down on a trip, consider the budget and flexibility of family and guests whom you "need" to be there. Coordinating a family, friends, attendants, etc. may prove impossible. Pare down to the minimum number of guests, get a commitment from them, or be able to proceed on your own. You do not want to lay a guilt trip on those who cannot afford to attend, nor create resentment at what should be a joyous occasion.

* Plan the wedding date itself with an eye to seasonal weather at the site, as well as a consideration of local holidays.

* Plan as far ahead as possible. June and major holidays may be a problem in reserving wedding-type facilities. (Remember, the locals get married, too.)

* Use a wedding planning service...a travel agent can help you find one. They`ll help arrange a person to provide the service, flowers, photography, transportation, lodging, and help with special requests.

* Most nicer hotels and resorts can also provide a wedding coordinator

* your local priest/pastor/rabbi...may be able to refer you to their counterpart globally.

* Make sure that a marriage in ( fill in the blank ) is legal in the US.

* Before you leave to come home, verify that you have arranged for all documents to be filed with the proper officials, and that you have at least a certified or original copy of the marriage certificate.

* Try to purchase the negatives of photographs. Eventually, you won`t want to deal with purchasing reprints long distance.

* Don`t pack the wedding bands in checked luggage!

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